Home  >  

Tag: Dialect

March 8, 2016

With Dialect, What Words You Say Are as Important as How You Say Them

One reason that some authors say not to write in dialect at all is that syntax and word choice can be used to suggest a dialect, region, or first language without modifying the words whatsoever. For example, in the U.S., specific kinds of pronoun errors are common to more rural areas (also often poorer areas with worse education though not always)....
Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 0
March 7, 2016

How to Use Acting Methods to Improve Dialect in Dialogue

Whether you’re listening or reading, thick dialects can be hard to understand – partly because it takes experience with a specific dialect to understand it easily. It’s kind of like reading messy handwriting. Once you’ve experienced it enough, you can read it, but for a first-time exposure, it’s pretty impossible. That’s why a lot of the accents you’re exposed to...
Categories General Thoughts & Updates/Writer Resources Comments: 0
August 16, 2015

You Mean Real People Don’t Talk the Way I Learned to from Books?

As writers, we always want our dialogue to sound real. We don’t want it to be stiff or awkward (unless the character is) because we want our characters to sound like people, not robots. The problem with writing the way people talk is that people don’t talk in sentences, and they don’t use correct grammar (if you use correct grammar...
Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 2